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Looking at cortisol (aka the body’s main stress hormone), a 2010 study focusing on dual-income married couples in the L.A. area with at least one school-aged child found that women who thought their homes were cluttered had increased levels of cortisol throughout the day. In comparison, most of the men in the study both did not perceive their homes as cluttered in the first place, and their cortisol levels tended to drop over the course of the day....

“In the lowest layer of our skin, we all have melanin-producing cells called melanocytes,” explains Caroline Robinson, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and CEO of Tone Dermatology in Chicago. “The melanin is carried around the skin in structures called melanosomes and is transferred to our skin cells (keratinocytes). The type of melanin and the size and distribution of melanosomes determines skin color.” She notes that excess pigment production—hyperpigmentation of any kind, whether it’s dark spots, redness, or anything else—occurs any time inflammation occurs on the skin....

We solicited our pros to tell us how organized people stay organized. By investing just a little time—and no or very little cash—you can make a difference in your home and, in turn, your mindset and well-being. Read on for our that-makes-so-much-sense, why-didn’t-I-think-of-that tips and tricks.

Get the recipe. Get the recipe. Get the recipe.

Oh, food trends. What’s not to love (and hate)? To celebrate 15 years of Yelp, the restaurant review site’s data science team looked into top food and diet trends from the past 15 years. To compile their results, Yelp pulled trends from all reviews—close to 200 million!—from the year for which each phrase or group of related phrases peaked, in terms of frequency of mention in reviews of businesses in food and restaurant categories....

As cold weather becomes a thing of the past over the next few weeks, there is a distinct thrill in the air about wearing something other than your favorite jeans. What better way to switch up your style than with a brightly colored dress? After all, just like jeans, dresses can transition from day to night with the right shoes and accessories, and they’re also great to wear when you want to feel stylish during days filled with outdoor fun....

If you’re just starting out, remember that the backbone of a good bar starts with six basic spirits: the clear and brown foundational bottles. For clear spirits, always have a tequila, gin, and vodka on hand. For darker spirits, consider stocking your bar cart with scotch, bourbon, and rum. No need to use super premium bottles for cocktails, but always keep quality top of mind. And whatever you do, stay away from any sugary pre-packaged mixers at the grocery store....

Whether you’re looking for simple storage for heavy items, hoping to keep clutter hidden, or need to store a lot of items without taking up a lot of floor space, there are shelving units that are perfect for what you need.

“Home has become a sanctuary for many during the pandemic, and the kitchen is moving away from clean and modern, or what people typically think of when considering the future,” designer Tiffany Leigh Piotrowski says. “Kitchens seem to be moving toward a more livable, cozy, and approachable environment.” After months of profound uncertainty and vital flexibility, the post-pandemic kitchen will reflect a collective need for calm. But in the midst of relaxing and mood-boosting enhancements, these spaces will heed the lessons learned from this period, too....

What it can tell you: Whether a cancerous breast lump or thickening is present. When to have it: Generally, your doctor should give you a manual breast exam starting in your early 20s. By the time you’re 30, you should have a manual, clinical exam every year. Recommendations for CBE vary slightly by health organization—here are a few to consider, in addition to consulting your doctor to determine when to start and how often to get a CBE....

The savviest Starbucks patrons know that the simplest drinks are often the least expensive. Perhaps you’re a fan of the sophisticated drinks, though. Fear not. We’ve developed a few alternatives to the more expensive drinks on the menu to satisfy both your caffeine craving and your wallet. Drinks Similar to Your Fave Starbucks Coffees and Teas* Iced Caffe Latte: $4.45 Instead of ordering the classic iced latte, save $2 by ordering two shots of espresso over ice....

Try incorporating these home-cooling design moves. By swapping out heavy textiles for airy fabrics and setting up effective cross-ventilation, you can create a cooler house without touching the thermostat. Here’s how to design your way to a chill, summer-ready house. Then, embrace a bare hardwood or stone floor, which is cooler underfoot. For those spots that need a rug, such as beside the bed or under the kitchen sink, swap in a flatwoven rug in a natural fiber, like this IKEA unbleached cotton area rug for just $4....

Though essential during a holiday meal, gravy usually becomes an afterthought when overshadowed by the stress of cooking a 15-pound turkey. However, there’s good news. Remove one more item from your to-do list and opt for store-bought gravy instead of making it from scratch. With a few simple modifications and tweaks, you can easily transform store-bought gravy into a richer, tastier sauce—and fool everyone into thinking it was homemade. And, if you happen to have some extra, there’s no harm in transforming your leftover gravy into classic Canadian-style poutine or hearty brunch biscuits and gravy....

That being said, all warming drinks are not created equal. (Anyone who has ever brutally burnt their mouth on a scalding styrofoam cup of microwave cocoa knows exactly what I’m talking about.) But when they’re made with care and quality ingredients, they’re good. What’s more comforting than a freshly made mug of spiced chai, or more decadent than creamy hot chocolate stirred with warm milk and marshmallows? Here, we sipped our way through 52 (!...

Dirt, dead skin cells, and oil all accumulate on your jeans when you wear them. The only way to clean them is to wash them.

Price at time of publish: $60 Price at time of publish: $99 Price at time of publish: $99 Price at time of publish: $35 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $18